Litany for Advent Candle Lighting

First Advent – Hope–Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world of where so many despair,
God lights a candle of hope in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.    Psalm 65:5

Second Advent – Peace –Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many experience violence,
God lights a candle of peace in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us, 
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Luke 1: 78, 79

Third  Advent – Love–Pink Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many experience hatred,
God lights a candle of love in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.   John 3:16

Fourth Advent – Joy–Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many are sorrowful,
God lights a candle of joy in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2:  “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.” Romans 15:12

Christ Candle for Christmas Eve

Reader 1: [lights purple candle]
In a world of where so many despair,
God lights a candle of hope in our hearts.

Reader 2: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.    Psalm 65:5

Reader 1:[lights purple candle]
In a world where so many experience violence,
God lights a candle of peace in our hearts.

Reader 2: By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us, 
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Luke 1: 78, 79

Reader 1: [lights pink candle]
In a world where so many experience hatred,
God lights a candle of love in our hearts.

Reader 2: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.   John 3:16

Reader 1: [lights purple candle]
In a world where so many are sorrowful,
God lights a candle of joy in our hearts.

Reader 2:  “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.” Romans 15:12

Reader 1: [lighting the white Christ candle]
In a world where so many wait in darkness,
light comes into our hearts
through a baby born in a manger!
He is Immanuel, Christ the Lord!
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2:
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Readers 1 & 2: The light shines and the darkness cannot put it out!!